TV Tattler: Celebrity Interviews

'American Idol' Season Six Exit Interview
Jordin Sparks

Before she hits the 'American Idol' stage one last time, Jordin is talking to us. Plus, check out our 'American Idol' full coverage for news, recaps, photos, rumors and more.


Jordin Sparks
Age: 17
Hometown: Glendale, Ariz.

How has being on 'American Idol' lived up to your expectations, being among the final two out of 103,000?
It's so crazy; it's something I always wanted to do. Then I auditioned, and I made it. I was surprised because when you walk into those arenas, there are thousands of people and you're like, "Oh my gosh, I only have a one in 10,000 chance of making it." So I was really surprised when I made it through that round, and then Hollywood round came and I made it through that and then I got to the top 12. Everything has been surprising me. Now that I'm here, it's just so amazing because I'm doing what I've always wanted to do.

How has the experience changed you?
You know what? I feel like this whole experience has made me stronger and a better person. I can handle so much more than I thought I could. They throw a lot at us, and it's pretty intense, but each week I go out there, and I get the criticism and the praise. I take what I can get from it and then I put it towards myself or towards something that I can use in the next week. I'm just so glad I'm going through it. It is kind of intense, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Simon Cowell said last week, in terms of song choice, you were sounding kind of old. Is that something that's in your head now as you're going into the finals?
Simon's comments always stay with you, so I guess yes. But at the same time, I can't really base what I'm going to do off of that, even though I can and you know, sometimes I do. But he says what he feels and I understand what he was saying. It was an older song and it was kind of old-fashioned. But at the same time, I just wanted to sing it really badly and I loved it. This week, I have a more youthful song in my repertoire that I'm going to pull out.

Do you think that the criticism from Simon was fair? Idols have been asked to sing 30- and 40-year-old songs before.
Everything just kind of rolls together, but in some ways I agree with him because we are in the 21st century and it is today. But at the same time, I love older music and so singing older music doesn't annoy me. It's where the new music comes from, it's where we grab things from. I don't know; I really didn't know what to say, but I guess it goes with each week. I guess I could have picked a younger song, but I love that song so much that that's the one I wanted to do. So he can like it, take it or leave it, I guess.

A lot of people thought you were treated unfairly in 'Idol Gives Back' night, when it looked like maybe you were going home.
I just take everything that comes with a grain of salt. They have to make a great TV show, and it was pretty cool. Afterwards, we were all laughing about it, but for that split-second my heart just sank so far down. I was so sad, but it was really cool that everybody got to stay. I was really excited that everybody else was staying, even though for that split-second, I thought I was gone. It's crazy, but I'm holding up pretty well.

What do you do to counter-balance the stress?
When I usually get stressed, I love, absolutely love to read, which I guess is pretty weird for a teenager. Reading is one of my favorite things. Then, I like pickles so I guess that's my comfort food. I love pickles; I could eat a whole jar, I'm not even kidding. And I just like to chill out with my friends and just be able to talk and vent a little bit.

What are you going to wear for the finals, and how will you do your hair?
I'm thinking about blowing it out straight again this week, just because with the costuming changes and with how many songs we have to sing, it will be easier to do different styles. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be wearing some really nice dresses, so you've got to look out for that because they're very nice. I got them yesterday, so I can't wait.

What kind of response have you gotten about the dresses you've worn on the show?
Nobody contacted me personally, but after Country Week, I wore this Nicole Miller dress. It was the gold and the orange long one. It just totally looked like a goddess dress and after I wore that, they were sold out on the West Coast because it is prom season. So it was just so crazy to hear that.

What are the best and worst aspects of being a 17-year-old competing on 'Idol'?
I guess people don't really think that I can handle what is going to happen if I win. People just think I'm a little young to break into this industry because it's harsh, I guess. But if it's something I want to do, I mean, it's what I want to do. I take that risk; it could be a plus and a minus.

Before 'Idol,' you were working on a CD, right? Do you think you'll now completely scrap that album and start fresh?
I was working on three songs. I guess it was sort of a CD, but I didn't really have much from the three songs, but after 'Idol' I would love to take those songs and try and turn the music a little bit towards what I'm liking now. They're all more country-based and don't get me wrong, I still love country music. But I hope to make a record that has those three songs on it because I like them and they're very important to me and I kind of wrote stuff that I was feeling about and so it would be really awesome to have that on the album. I can't wait to see what happens after 'Idol.'

What's the first thing you'll splurge on?
I have no idea. Somebody asked me that the other day, and I just go, "No, I'm not going to splurge on a house because I can't live on my own yet so I can't splurge on a house." I think I might save it and, if not, I think I might put it towards a really nice system in the car that I drive. I would love to give my brother a couple of bucks and let him buy some shoes.

Which celebrity guest judge were most excited to meet and who gave you the best advice?
I loved meeting Martina McBride because I've listened to her music for so long, and she was just amazing. And I loved meeting Gwen Stefani because everybody my age listens to her, so it was just really crazy meeting her. I think I cried when I met her. I think the person who gave the best advice had to be Jennifer Lopez. She just said if you can give out the emotions in the song, that's all that matters. If one person feels the music then you've done your job and I think that is so true because I want to reach people and if I just reach one person in the audience, it doesn't matter to me.

How will you try to distinguish yourself from Blake Lewis in the finale?
Blake and I are just two totally different singers. He's an amazing performer and he's so entertaining. I feel really honored to be in the finale with him. I don't really have a strategy. I guess if I had any strategy, it is just to give all that I can give. I know that sounds so cliché, but you have to give every single ounce of yourself to the song or it's just not going to work.

Who are some of the past 'Idol' contestants that you would want to model your career after?
I love Kelly Clarkson; she is the first 'Idol' and her career has gone so amazingly well for her. But she still manages to stay out of the tabloids, and she just seems so amazing. Carrie Underwood has also had an amazing career after 'Idol.' She's just doing so well, and I would love to have a career like that and be able to entertain as long as I can.

Your father being a former professional athlete, you have some frame of reference to being in the public eye. Has that helped you at all?
I think it did because with my dad, we took pictures a lot and my dad did interviews all the time. I was constantly watching him. He actually told me the other day that when he would sign autographs, I would just be watching so intently. He said it was really weird because he was watching me do it the other day and how it's all turned around. So it's been really crazy, but I think it has helped me because being in front of a camera or taking pictures or doing interviews, it doesn't really scare me. So I think it has helped me. Thanks, Dad!

Blake Lewis Interview >>

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